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Networking Sessions – Open To Everyone

Our networking sessions have now paused until 2025. Details will be announced shortly of our upcoming sessions!

Whether you are an existing business, brand new or thinking of going into business, Forest Traders firmly believe that networking should be an integral part of anyone’s marketing plan. However we also understand how scary, costly and time consuming it can be to go to new groups as they all work in different ways. With this in mind, we now run monthly networking sessions that are low cost, non committal long term and fun meaning you can relax, enjoy some tea/coffee & homemade cake and make new connections with businesses. They also provide a fantastic opportunity to catch up with fellow businesses, customers and see old friends.

Your first session is free of charge, each session thereafter is £3, payable in cash on the door. All tickets need to be pre-booked using our Eventbrite links.

Next Session TBC

Schedule of the session;

Arrival; 8.30am. We are on the ground floor at Rheola House (Cinderford) next to the Cinderford Town Council Offices.

8.30am – 8.45am; free time to make a drink and chat with other attendees. We encourage attendees to walk around the room joining in with conversations and making new connections.

8.45am – 8.50am – Welcome and short, seated introductions from attendees (not compulsory)

8.50am – 9.05am; a presentation/discussion/Q&A

9.05am – 9.10am; top up your tea/coffee cups.

9.10am – 9.20am; Accountability goals update and if time, a fun networking game/activity to get to know your fellow attendees.

9.20am – 9.45am; free networking opportunity.

We welcome all business types and sizes so please do come along if you can.

How To Book

Please use our Eventbrite links.

Testimonials from Networking participants

Thanks for accommodating me within your networking night was truly a delight to be welcomed in and to meet so many lovely local business owners. Lots of great conversations and great food. Will definitely be attending again. – R W – Wallace Accountancy & Bookkeeping

Thanks for putting on a great night. Lovely to meet so many like minded folks and look forward to catching up with them all again soon. – S, Media Moto

Thanks for an excellent networking event at Hart‘s Barn Cookery School last night! It was my first one, but I‘m sure it won‘t be my last. Great food, as promised, excellent company – nice to see some familiar faces and meet new people as well – K.H, DK Furnishing

As usual an excellent and well organised event with Forest Traders. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and had some really useful networking discussions. We look forward to the next event. We love the energy and enthusiasm you inject into supporting your advertisers. – E, Blue Signage

I attended a Forest Traders networking for the first time on 22 November. It was really very friendly and welcoming event. I met lots of new people and had some fun too. Thank you! H R – Belford House HR Limited.

Forest Traders networking meetings are always fun and interactive but last night Jo excelled with a combination of ice-breaker games, short but informative presentations, and plenty of time for networking. As a result I was able to give one referral and I’m now in discussions with a potential supplier. A most productive and enjoyable evening thanks to all your hard work and preparation Jo. Many thanks, M L – Logiplex Solutions Ltd

A big thank you to Jo at Forest Traders, for an enjoyable and productive networking evening, talking with friendly and talented entrepreneurs. I was immediately put at ease and made to feel very welcome. Also thanks to Yvette at Harts Barn Cookery School. The food was lovely, and plenty of of it! D I – The Garden Room Holistic Therapies

Thank you for a really enjoyable evening. I met lots of new people and I was delighted to have been given the opportunity to go. Yvette and her lovely chef/cook did a wonderful spread! V – Green Nutritional Therapy

It was amazing night 🙂 thank you so much you made my week. There were many great people to talk to. Can’t wait till the next one. D – Blue Moon Cleaning

My first visit to a Forest Traders event was most enjoyable and it was great to see familiar faces as well as meet lots of new, like minded business people. I made some excellent connections and will be sure to follow them up. The food (and cider) was delicious and there was such a lot of delightful variety too. Very many thanks to you and your team for all the fun and laughter and to Yvette for the great food and drink and also a lovely chat. I look forward to joining you all again in the future. S – The Positive PA

As a local charity we have benefited enormously from the Forest Trader networking nights. As well as being the lucky recipients of funds from the nights it has offered us a platform to make contacts we otherwise wouldn’t have reached. It’s a fun, friendly informal group which Jo runs efficiently with great communication. I really hope Jo wins a Forester award as it’s so deserved. – N B – Community Fundraiser7 – Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

Forest traders networking events are fun, friendly and a great way to meet other businesses within the Forest of Dean. We’ve met and worked with a number of local businesses as a result of these events. – E W – Module IT

Forest Trader Networking Nights are always well advertised and organised with lots of opportunity for networking in a social environment. – J B – Jessabel Flowers

This was my first visit to a networking night with Forest Traders. Congratulations there was a good mix of local businesses attending and with your hard work in organising the evening I believe everyone had both an informative and fun evening, assisted by a comprehensive buffet. I look forward to the next event. – J R – ACF Direct

Everyone was very warm and welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was great to meet many new faces and to gain valuable knowledge from everyones different tales of owning a business. A – Transformation Techniques

I would recommend any future networking events that are hosted by Forest Traders as it was a very well organised night and good fun too. – P O – Solicitor for and on behalf of Tayntons